Page 29
Story: Claim My Soul
“That was their choice to fight, and to fight to the death.Kill or be killed.I’ll take living, thank you very much.”
Sweet laughter rang out.“Such balance between brute and benevolence.It has served you well, and it will continue to serve you moving forward.”
“And what of Alexia?Please tell me how to save her.I don’t want to go on without her.”
“And you will not have to, loyal troll.”
Alexia’s pulse raced.Would they have a chance at a life together?“Herleif?”
“Alexia?”
He heard her!Footfalls sounded off, and Nonia yipped with joy.Alexia felt Herleif near, then he caressed her cheek.
“Can you wake, my love?”
“I’m trying.Why am I having trouble moving and speaking?”
“You went through a traumatic experience,” said the woman.“Your body is still processing the energy you absorbed and determining how to navigate the enormity of power without exploding.”
“Oh, well, I’d rather not explode.”
The woman let loose with a deep throaty laugh, so different from her speaking voice.“I promise you, that will not happen.Your strength and control are impressive.”
“Thank you?”
“You’re most welcome.”
Alexia concentrated on that strength and control she had just been praised for.She was eager to remove herself from this almost catatonic state.
“Easy, Alexia,” Herleif said.“I feel your desire to return.It will happen when ready.”
“I’m ready now.Oh, I can speak again!”Herleif chuckled as she focused on movement, on opening her eyes and being able to at least sit up.When her lids opened, and her gaze connected with Herleif, she nearly cried with joy.
“Ah, there’s my woman,” he said.
“Here I am.”Nonia yipped and sat up, waiting.“Yes, yes, I’m trying.”Alexia directed her energy to her muscles, and she was able to sit.Then with the aid of Herleif, she stood.Her gaze shifted to the ethereal beauty of what could only be a Valkyrie atop a gorgeous horse.
“Oh, my!How beautiful you two are!”
The Valkyrie dipped her head, and the horse neighed.“As are you, Alexia Stavros.Now, I think it’s time for you and Herleif to return to your realm while I take care of Agnar.”
“What of my mother?”Herleif asked.
“She will be fine,” the Valkyrie said.“Better, in fact, and you will see her soon.”
“And Fenrir?”Alexia questioned.“He will no longer pose a threat?”
The Valkyrie shook her head.“His soul is bound in the depths of Hell and can never escape.”
Alexia bowed her head in gratitude.
“Herleif!”his father yelled, finding his voice.“Do not let this happen!It’s not my time!”
“But it is, and it is out of my hands.Your time for judgement has arrived.”Alexia took Herleif’s hand in hers to offer comfort, easing his grief.He gave a soft squeeze.“It’s time to go,” he said.
While Agnar continued to moan, the Valkyrie looked at Alexia and Herleif.“Till Valhalla, warrior and warrioress.May you enjoy a long life filled with love and purpose.”
“Takk,” Herleif said just as Alexia replied with “Eucharist,” both thanking her.
Sweet laughter rang out.“Such balance between brute and benevolence.It has served you well, and it will continue to serve you moving forward.”
“And what of Alexia?Please tell me how to save her.I don’t want to go on without her.”
“And you will not have to, loyal troll.”
Alexia’s pulse raced.Would they have a chance at a life together?“Herleif?”
“Alexia?”
He heard her!Footfalls sounded off, and Nonia yipped with joy.Alexia felt Herleif near, then he caressed her cheek.
“Can you wake, my love?”
“I’m trying.Why am I having trouble moving and speaking?”
“You went through a traumatic experience,” said the woman.“Your body is still processing the energy you absorbed and determining how to navigate the enormity of power without exploding.”
“Oh, well, I’d rather not explode.”
The woman let loose with a deep throaty laugh, so different from her speaking voice.“I promise you, that will not happen.Your strength and control are impressive.”
“Thank you?”
“You’re most welcome.”
Alexia concentrated on that strength and control she had just been praised for.She was eager to remove herself from this almost catatonic state.
“Easy, Alexia,” Herleif said.“I feel your desire to return.It will happen when ready.”
“I’m ready now.Oh, I can speak again!”Herleif chuckled as she focused on movement, on opening her eyes and being able to at least sit up.When her lids opened, and her gaze connected with Herleif, she nearly cried with joy.
“Ah, there’s my woman,” he said.
“Here I am.”Nonia yipped and sat up, waiting.“Yes, yes, I’m trying.”Alexia directed her energy to her muscles, and she was able to sit.Then with the aid of Herleif, she stood.Her gaze shifted to the ethereal beauty of what could only be a Valkyrie atop a gorgeous horse.
“Oh, my!How beautiful you two are!”
The Valkyrie dipped her head, and the horse neighed.“As are you, Alexia Stavros.Now, I think it’s time for you and Herleif to return to your realm while I take care of Agnar.”
“What of my mother?”Herleif asked.
“She will be fine,” the Valkyrie said.“Better, in fact, and you will see her soon.”
“And Fenrir?”Alexia questioned.“He will no longer pose a threat?”
The Valkyrie shook her head.“His soul is bound in the depths of Hell and can never escape.”
Alexia bowed her head in gratitude.
“Herleif!”his father yelled, finding his voice.“Do not let this happen!It’s not my time!”
“But it is, and it is out of my hands.Your time for judgement has arrived.”Alexia took Herleif’s hand in hers to offer comfort, easing his grief.He gave a soft squeeze.“It’s time to go,” he said.
While Agnar continued to moan, the Valkyrie looked at Alexia and Herleif.“Till Valhalla, warrior and warrioress.May you enjoy a long life filled with love and purpose.”
“Takk,” Herleif said just as Alexia replied with “Eucharist,” both thanking her.